Danny Murphy has named Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Manchester United’s Raphael Varane as the two best centre-backs in the Premier League – but says Arsenal’s William Saliba is the ‘next one to take over’.
Van Dijk has lifted Premier League and Champions League titles since signing for Liverpool in 2018, establishing himself as one of the most reliable defenders in Europe.
World Cup winner Varane has also impressed at Old Trafford following his move from Real Madrid two years ago and started last weekend’s EFL Cup final win.
Saliba, meanwhile, has enjoyed a sensational debut season in the Arsenal first-team following three successive loan spells in France, starting all 25 of the Gunners’ Premier League games.
Murphy believes claims that Van Dijk is on the decline are ‘greatly exaggerated’ and says the Dutch star remains the best centre-back in the Premier League alongside Manchester United rival Varane, with Saliba next in line.
‘Reports of Virgil van Dijk’s demise were always greatly exaggerated,’ the former England midfielder told the Daily Mail.
‘He remains the best centre-half in the Premier League alongside Raphael Varane, with William Saliba at Arsenal looking like the next one to take over.
‘I never got all that stuff about Van Dijk not being the same player after his knee injury. He was great last season when Liverpool had the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League with Manchester City.
‘OK, he’s not been at his absolute best this season but he’s set such high standards for himself, nobody is able to play for years without making the occasional mistake.
‘Liverpool have been slightly fortunate to keep four league clean sheets in a row against Everton, Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Wolves but they definitely wouldn’t have done so without Van Dijk coming back from a hamstring pull.
‘It’s hard for any striker to outjump or outmuscle the Dutchman and I don’t think there is an issue about his speed either.
‘People get mixed up between a defender being outpaced by a striker and getting caught up field on the counter and chasing back. There is a difference.
‘If Van Dijk or any defender is moving one way and the ball is played behind them, the forward is already on the move and away.
‘It’s nothing to do with pace. The winner of a sprint race is usually the one who gets out of the blocks quickest. Van Dijk’s best partner at the back is Ibrahima Konate.’
Van Dijk faces a potentially daunting task on Sunday as Liverpool welcome high-flying Manchester United to Anfield.
Erik ten Hag’s side have climbed to third in the Premier League and won the EFL Cup last weekend, with in-form Marcus Rashford netting his 28th goal of the season at Wembley.
Ex-Liverpool star Murphy added: ‘It’ll be interesting to see what Man United try to do to unsettle them at Anfield.
‘Play Wout Weghorst centrally to try to physically impose himself or use Marcus Rashford’s pace down the middle?
‘Van Dijk would probably prefer to face Weghorst. He’ll know his strength and weaknesses from playing with the Dutch team. But he’s such a confident lad, he’d fancy himself against Rashford too.’
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